Chatswood Grove

It appears that the name Chatswood was chosen in 1990 at the request of the developer.

Chatswood Grove is located in the New Plymouth suburb of Fitzroy. Close to Peringa Park and Lake Rotomanu, the street offers many convenient recreational opportunities to its residents. Schools and shopping are also nearby. It is an easy walk to New Plymouth's coastal walkway and to its eastern beaches.

In Auckland, Northcote Point, whose area includes the suburb of Chatswood, is seen as a desirable location for those who love old villas in particular.

While we would expect the name Chatswood to come to us from England, like so many other New Plymouth street names, there is no confirming evidence for this view. Although there is a Chatsworth House which is famous, the name Chatswood appears not to originate in England.

Sydney's Chatswood may be its source. In the local government area of Willoughby, it was originally "Chatswood Estate", and it is believed that its one-time owner, Richard Harnett, named the estate after his daughter Charlotte, who was often called Chat or Chatty for short.

When the local post office was built, the official name Chatswood was adopted.

While we are not certain of the origin of its name, if you are named Charlotte you could be forgiven for celebrating today's street, Chatswood Grove, as being named after you.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.